In a significant development, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended the former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, on Wednesday morning on charges of alleged fraud amounting to N22 billion.
The arrest was made as part of the Commission’s ongoing investigation into corruption allegations related to the execution of several power projects.
Mamman was subsequently detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency.
The arrest of Sale Mamman marks another high-profile case in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, as the government strives to ensure accountability and transparency in public administration.
The allegations against the former minister involve a conspiracy with ministry staff responsible for managing the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The funds, totalling N22 billion, were reportedly diverted and illicitly distributed among the conspirators.
During the course of the investigations, the EFCC has successfully recovered millions of naira and United States Dollars, highlighting the agency’s relentless efforts to reclaim misappropriated public funds.
Sale Mamman, a native of Taraba State, was appointed as the Minister of Power by President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019.
However, his tenure was cut short precisely two years later when he was dismissed from his position in 2021.